Farmers, Pesticides and Cancer

Did you hear? Farmers have less cancer overall than the general population.[1] Whew, that’s a relief! But wait, I knew that already. Nearly 10 years ago, the same U.S. Agricultural Health Study investigators reported that farmers, pesticide applicators and their spouses had cancer deficits compared to the general population and this was an update from five years before that.[2]^,[3] So is farming healthier than other jobs? As with most health questions, the answer is related to what farmers tend to do (keep physically active) and what they don’t (smoke cigarettes). This is on average, of course. Yet this trend isn’t limited to the United States. Studies in Australia,[4] Canada[5] and France[6] also reported lower cancer rates among farmers, which may be related to lifestyle as well. With farmer cancer rates low around the world, why are studies still being done about them? It’s because farming does have unique exposures and health risks. Certainly, one of the most accepted carcinogenic exposures is to sunlight. Daily activities can also involve contact with heavy machinery, animal waste and soil micro-organisms. Yet, the use of pesticides to control weeds, bugs, rodents and fungi is a specific focus of many studies. Fortunately, our knowledge about pesticides is extensive and incorporates targeted studies that range from effects on cells to persistence in the environment to residue levels on our food. Increasingly strict global regulations have reduced accidental misuse and protect farmers and their families...MORE